Monday SPFL verdict: Top players, teams & managers

CRAIG P STEWART

THE SPFL Premiership returns to the Scotsman website’s Monday Verdict after a two-week break for the World Cup qualifiers.

Good weekend for: East Fife and their manager Willie Aitchison.

The Methil side pitched up at nearby Dunfermline’s East End Park bottom of the table and many expected them to be the sacrificial lambs for the new owners of the Pars. It was going to script as East Fife were one goal down with ten minutes to go when their manager, former Hearts coach Willie Aitchison, threw on two substitutes. Two quick-fire goals turned the game on its head and East Fife won the game 2-1. Interestingly, the win keeps East Fife’s unbeaten run at Dunfermline going to just a few months after Scotland’s ill-fated World Cup trip to Argentina in 1978!

Bad weekend for: Assistant referee Stuart Stevenson

The referee’s assistant who was at the centre of a controversial incident in yesterday’s Inverness Caledonian Thistle and Partick Thistle game when he flagged for a corner being touched twice by its taker Ross Draper. Nothing wrong with that in isolation, but the fact that he never brought it to the attention of referee Euan Norris until play had continued and Aaron Doran had scored, has left fans baffled.

Right decision but going about it the wrong way makes it a Bad Weekend for Stevenson

Team of the week: Cowdenbeath

The Central Park side defeated Morton 5-1 in their battle at the bottom of the Championship. The Blue Brazil have won at home already this season against Dumbarton and Falkirk, however the emphatic nature of this win surprised many. While it was a great result for Cowdenbeath’s player/manager Colin Cameron, Morton manager Allan Moore has had a horrible time of things ever since his side beat Celtic in the Scottish League Cup. Moore admitted that this was his lowest point in football and that is a pretty damming comment when you consider he presided over a 9-0 Scottish Cup defeat and a run of nine straight defeats whilst in charge at Stirling Albion.

Manager of the week: Allan Johnston (Kilmarnock)

‘Magic’ can finally call himself a winning Premiership manager after his side’s success at the weekend. Johnston helped Queen of the South run away with the Second Division last season, but his summer move up to Killie was not seeing the same success until Ross County were defeated 2-0 at Rugby Park. The fact that Hearts lost will have made it an even better weekend for an Ayrshire side that sit second bottom of the table.

Premiership Player of the week: Kris Doolan (Partick Thistle)

Doolan answered critics of his recent goal-shy displays with a two goal blast in the Highlands. Doolan showed a great touch to get the ball away from the Inverness Caledonian Thistle defence and shoot low into the corner to give the Glasgow Jags the lead. He was then in the right place at the right time to poke the ball home after a slip by home goalkeeper Dean Brill to win the game 2-1 for Alan Archibald’s side.

Premiership Goal of the week: James Forrest (Celtic)

Celtic needed a leveller at Easter Road on Saturday and James Forrest struck with 13 minutes to go. The Scotland player, who has scored fine goals at Easter Road in the past, darted past two opponents on the right wing and then curled home a low shot with the assistance of a post

Championship Player of the week: Kane Hemmings (Cowdenbeath)

The former Rangers youngster took home the second match ball of the season after grabbing a hat-trick in his side’s 5-1 success over Morton. Hemmings, who netted a Scottish League Cup hat-trick against Berwick Rangers back in August, ran through the Greenock rear-guard twice to net as well as being alert enough to shot home after team-mate Greg Stewart had been denied.

Championship Goal of the week: Mitch Megginson (Dumbarton)

Dumbarton showed how to turn defence into attack with pace at the weekend as they defeated hosts Falkirk 2-1. Already leading by a Garry Fleming goal, Mark Gilhaney released full-back Paul McGinn on the right and his cross was sent into the Bairns goal perfectly by Megginson. It turned out to be the winner and a fitting winner it was.

League 1 Player of the week: Kevin Kyle (Ayr United)

The former Scotland striker is trying to rebuild his playing career after injuries ended his time at both Hearts and Rangers. Kyle has been playing with the Honest Men for the past two months and his influence is growing all the time with Saturday’s goal in the 2-0 success over Arbroath breaking his duck in black and white colours.

League 1 Goal of the week: Jonny Brown (Brechin City).

Brown sent home a free kick from 25 yards out to send his side into a 2-0 lead over visitors Rangers at Glebe Park. The Ibrox men were already stunned by Graham Hay’s opener when Brown let fly however the goalscoring duo probably wish they had scored in the last 10 minutes and not the first 10 as Rangers hit back to win 4-3

League 2 Player of the week: Jamie Barclay (Clyde)

The Bully Wee won 1-0 at Berwick Rangers and former Shielfield shot-stopper Barclay provided a formidable barrier to deny his one time team-mates. Team-mate Iain Gray was dismissed shortly after Ryan Frances’ goal just after half-time and Barclay ensured the points headed for Cumbernauld. One save from a Kenny O’Brien header was of the top drawer kind as he pushed away a netbound header.

League 2 Goal of the week: Michael McGowan (East Stirling)

The full back notched his first goal for the League 2 table-toppers in their 1-1 draw with Queen’s Park. The former Albion Rovers and Annan Athletic full-back picked up a loose ball 25 yards out and sent a shot home that was placed in the unstoppable category.

• As always we would like to find out what the fans think of the choices, so please discuss your thoughts in the comments below

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